Abstract: An air spring assembly includes bellow with an outer ring disposed on an outer surface of the bellow. The outer ring containing an embedded cord for constraining a portion of the bellow to establish a “B” shaped fold in an inflated bellow.

Abstract: An air spring assembly having pressure relief capability, where the air spring assembly includes a single air volume, or a multi-chamber air volume. When the air spring assembly is operating at a stiffer spring rate in combination with a setting to increase ground clearance, during certain road events, the air spring assembly is compressed, and the pressure in the air spring assembly increases. In order to not exceed the safe mechanical limits of the air spring assembly, the pressure is limited to a maximum value when full compression is achieved. The air spring assembly includes at least one valve, which is opened based on a “cracking pressure,” which is determined based on the mechanical limits of the air spring assembly. This facilitates the operation of the air spring assembly at settings to increase ground clearance of the vehicle, while allowing for pressure relief when the mechanical limit is reached.

Abstract: Air spring strut for a motor vehicle including an air spring with a shock absorber for spring-cushioning and damping oscillations of a motor vehicle running gear assembly. The air spring includes an air spring cover and an air spring piston. An air spring bellows made of elastomeric material is clamped air-tightly between the air spring cover and the air spring piston partially delimits a working space filled with compressed air and, while forming a rolling fold, rolls on the air spring cover and/or the air spring piston. The air spring cover is embodied in two parts with a first cover part for receiving an absorber bearing and with a second cover part for fastening the air spring bellows. The first cover part is manufactured from metal and the second cover part is manufactured from plastic.

Abstract: An air spring assembly having pressure relief capability, where the air spring assembly includes a single air volume, or a multi-chamber air volume. When the air spring assembly is operating at a stiffer spring rate in combination with a setting to increase ground clearance, during certain road events, the air spring assembly is compressed, and the pressure in the air spring assembly increases. In order to not exceed the safe mechanical limits of the air spring assembly, the pressure is limited to a maximum value when full compression is achieved. The air spring assembly includes at least one valve, which is opened based on a “cracking pressure,” which is determined based on the mechanical limits of the air spring assembly. This facilitates the operation of the air spring assembly at settings to increase ground clearance of the vehicle, while allowing for pressure relief when the mechanical limit is reached.

Abstract: Air spring strut for a motor vehicle including an air spring with a shock absorber for spring-cushioning and damping oscillations of a motor vehicle running gear assembly. The air spring includes an air spring cover and an air spring piston. An air spring bellows made of elastomeric material is clamped air-tightly between the air spring cover and the air spring piston partially delimits a working space filled with compressed air and, while forming a rolling fold, rolls on the air spring cover and/or the air spring piston. The air spring cover is embodied in two parts with a first cover part for receiving an absorber bearing and with a second cover part for fastening the air spring bellows. The first cover part is manufactured from metal and the second cover part is manufactured from plastic.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a reservoir which is adaptable to meet different packaging requirements. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, at least one piston connected to the damper body, and a bellow connected to the piston, the bellow having a cavity. A top cap is connected to the bellow, and a fitting is connected to the top cap. A reservoir is connected to the fitting such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the cavity. Air flows between the bellow and the reservoir as a result of movement of the piston and damper body during travel of the vehicle. The reservoir may be tube-shaped, having a consistent diameter, or a varying diameter. The reservoir may also be spherical-shaped, rectangular-shaped, square-shaped, or may be shaped to fit specific packaging requirements such that the reservoir may be positioned in any area of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a reservoir which is adaptable to meet different packaging requirements. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, at least one piston connected to the damper body, and a bellow connected to the piston, the bellow having a cavity. A top cap is connected to the bellow, and a fitting is connected to the top cap. A reservoir is connected to the fitting such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the cavity. Air flows between the bellow and the reservoir as a result of movement of the piston and damper body during travel of the vehicle. The reservoir may be tube-shaped, having a consistent diameter, or a varying diameter. The reservoir may also be spherical-shaped, rectangular-shaped, square-shaped, or may be shaped to fit specific packaging requirements such that the reservoir may be positioned in any area of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air spring for air suspension system comprises a piston assembly and a damper assembly. A plurality of crush ribs are spaced apart from one another located within an internal cavity defined by the piston assembly and extending in an axial direction. A striker cap is located proximate to a first end of the damper assembly. There is a first interference fit between the damper assembly and the striker cap and there is a second interference fit between the striker cap and the crush fins, such that the piston assembly and the damper assembly are rotationally fixed relative to one another.

Abstract: An air spring includes a bellow at least partially delimiting at least one working chamber that is constructed and arranged to be filled with compressed air. A guide tube surrounds at least a portion of the bellow. A piston is associated with the bellow. The bellow is constructed and arranged to roll with respect to an outer surface of the piston and an inner surface of the guide tube. At least one of the guide tube and the piston includes a lamination comprising an inner layer of material coupled to an outer layer of material so as to cause internal friction and thus a dampening of vibrations inside the material.

Abstract: An air braking system for a vehicle blends regenerative and foundation braking during low deceleration conditions in an effective and controlled manner. The braking system also includes a mechanical override that bypasses system electronics in response to an aggressive brake request such that treadle circuit pressure is sent directly to a brake relay circuit to actuate vehicle brakes.

Abstract: An air spring for air suspension system comprises a piston assembly and a damper assembly. A plurality of crush ribs are spaced apart from one another located within an internal cavity defined by the piston assembly and extending in an axial direction. A striker cap is located proximate to a first end of the damper assembly. There is a first interference fit between the damper assembly and the striker cap and there is a second interference fit between the striker cap and the crush fins, such that the piston assembly and the damper assembly are rotationally fixed relative to one another.

Abstract: An air braking system for a vehicle blends regenerative and foundation braking during low deceleration conditions in an effective and controlled manner. The braking system also includes a mechanical override that bypasses system electronics in response to an aggressive brake request such that treadle circuit pressure is sent directly to a brake relay circuit to actuate vehicle brakes.